WASSA GOES TO FAIRYLAND. 107

hideous face and long bill flew close to her,
then another, and still another, until the grotto
resounded with their harsh notes.

“What can this mean?” thought Wassa.
“Mona has purposely deceived me, but she
shall answer for it to me.”

Eager to escape from the noisy birds, Wassa
begged the wisp to take her away, and she felt
greatly relieved when she found herself safely
out of the grotto. Through long and tedious
passages they went, where hideously grinning
faces appeared at every turn, and sometimes
flowers and bright stones were showered upon
her. Of these she secured as many as she
could.

Wassa was very tired of Fairyland, and she
began to doubt if she really were in that place.
She suspected that the whole adventure might
be an unpleasant dream, and she implored the
Will-o’-the-wisp to conduct her to the open air.

“ Wouldst give to her of good things aught,
Who, goaded on by jealous thought,
From her home her friend entices
By her false words and false devices?”

asked the voice she had heard before.